What would you buy and why? Also, please note that I stated it is a great choice, but I didn't say 'only choice'.
I started out with the idea to buy a Canon (my reason for jumping into this thread) and my research steered me to Nikon, but that doesn't mean that is the only way to go. Also, it seems to me that if someone is going to get serious about photography, that these cheap starter kits are not necessarily going to hinder a change in direction. Seems that many of the pros have changed back and forth a few times in their careers from some of what I am reading.